Crystal Palace’s dismal week continued as West Ham secured a 3-1 win - the Hammers first away victory in five matches stretching back to last March.

After a scrappy start, West Ham began to assert themselves, with Carlton Cole failing to connect with a few chances.

The breakthrough came with a tremendous strike from Hammers debutant Mauro Zarate, a volley from the edge of the box following a short corner.

Stewart Downing doubled the lead three minutes later, racing round a static Palace defence, cutting in from the right, and bending the ball round Julian Speroni.

James Tomkins had a great opportunity to put the game out of sight in the 48th minute, but could only direct his free header on to the crossbar, allowing the goalkeeper to claim at the second attempt.

Marouane Chamakh responded immediately, picking up Mile Jedinak’s ball from the left and unleashing a half-volley past Adrian.

But Cole managed to restore the visitors’ two-goal advantage on 62 minutes as he was left unmarked in the box and allowed to sidefoot it home.

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Crystal Palace v West Ham United (Getty)

KEY MOMENTS

20’ - MISS! - Noble takes the free kick; O'Brien's cross in does meet the head of Cole but he can't get that past Speroni. No pace or power.

28’ - WASTE! 0 Terrible touch from Zarate in the box after a good ball in from Vaz Te - a decent bit of control there would have seen him through on goal.

34’ - GOAL! - Short corner this time - probably for the best after the traditional ones haven't given Speroni very much to do. It falls to Zarate on the edge of the box, who hits it on the volley - it takes a little bounce before it reaches the keeper, and crackles into the back of the net.

37’ - GOAL! - Stewart Downing doubles West Ham's advantage as the Palace defenders opt not to put it any challenges as he races down the right and then bends it round the goalkeeper.

49’ - GOAL! - Chamakh and his special hair beat Adrian. Jedeiak flicks it inside and Chamakh hits it on the half-volley to power into the bottom of the net.

62’ - GOAL! - The ever-puzzling Carlton Cole restores the two-goal advantage as Crystal Palace are static in the area, leaving him unmarked and allow him to sidefoot into the net from 10 yards out.

KEY STATS

West Ham claimed one win from five London derbies away from home last season (D1 L3).

Palace have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five Premier League games after conceding only five times in the previous nine.

West Ham have scored two first-half goals in a Premier League away match for the first time since October 2012 – with their 2-1 win at QPR.

Mauro Zarate became the first West Ham player to score on his first Premier League appearance for the club since Kevin Nolan against Aston Villa in August 2012.

TALKING POINT

Keith Millen hasn’t been the most successful caretaker manager: It is now only four points in six games in his Palace career. Will he be offered the job permanently – or will a new managerial candidate emerge?

MAN OF THE MATCH

Mauro Zarate (West Ham): It’s tough to look any further than Mauro Zarate, really – sparkling on his debut, and rounding it off with a beautiful goal.